She said: "I came to hate the sheer sight of him. It has continued to affect me in later life. I just wanted a normal life. I have always felt on edge, anxious and sick when all I craved was normality.

"I have had mood swings and struggled with relationships. I have felt unable to plan for the future. I have felt lonely for as long as I can remember. I have always had to carry my secret around with me.

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"To her enormous credit, she has found the courage to come forward. She spoke about how she was diminished and emotionally impoverished by your abuse and with a longing for a normal life.

"She spoke about how her terrible secret and the intense feelings of guilt."

David Peters has been jailed for eight years (Image: Penny Cross)

During the trial at Plymouth Crown Court the victim told how Peters had started abusing her when she was about six and gone on abusing her for many years, either touching her or forcing her to touch him.

Some of the assaults happened when he took her swimming at the former open air pool in Central Park, Plymouth.

Peters denied all the allegations and said there had never been any improper physical contact with the girl.

Deni Mathews, defending, said Peters has worked hard all his life and there is no suggestion that he had abused any other children.

An NSPCC spokesperson for South West England said: “Depraved Peters continued his campaign of abuse against this vulnerable young girl for a decade.

“The impact on her will have been life-changing and it is vital that all children and young people feel confident to speak out and get the support they need, rather than suffer in silence, as sadly so many do.

“The victim must be praised for her enormous bravery during the trial. Thanks to her actions, Peters is now behind bars where he cannot hurt any more children.”

Any adult worried about a child can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000. Help for children is available through Childline on 0800 1111.